Powertrains
Has Honda correctly predicted the politically-motivated shift facing the automotive world? Perhaps, because if you want your new Civic to be diesel-powered, you will be out of luck. The only options available, at least at launch, are a pair of petrol units.
On offer are a 1.0-litre three-cylinder with 129hp, or a 1.5 version with 182 horses. They are both new, turbocharged and with direct injection, and kick the previous frankly disappointing Civic engines into touch.
On the first drive event we tried out both engines, and we are not surprised that Honda expects two-thirds of Civic sales to be with the smaller unit. It’s enthusiastic yet refined in its take-up, and the 60mph sprint time of around 10 seconds is plenty swift enough for most.
The 1.5 gets to 62mph around two seconds earlier – but it just doesn’t feel like it. And you pay in fuel economy slashed by 10mpg and an emissions penalty of more than 20g/km.
On the road
This reviewer was not a great fan of the previous Civic’s road manners, but it’s all change in this one. The elements are a new multi-lnk suspension, the lighter platform and stiffer bodyshell, and a centre of gravity dropped by some 10mm.
As a result, the new Honda Civic rides very well – it feels planted on the road in the way the bigger car that it is should. This translates to less of the point-and-squirt progress of its predecessor in corners, but it remains assured with the slant towards a comfortable ride – which will please the car’s core customer base.
Next page: Specification and summary
